Minor M 3.14 Earthquake Strikes Near Beatty, Nevada

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.14 ml occurred on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 05:25:49 UTC (approximately 9:25 PM local time on March 3). The event was centered 52 km east-southeast of Beatty, Nevada.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 36.6524°N, 116.2688°W. The seismic event originated at a depth of 7.4 kilometers. This is classified as a shallow earthquake; seismic events occurring at depths of less than 20 km are typically more noticeable to those on the surface than deeper events, though they remain routine in this region.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS, there has been at least 1 felt report associated with this event. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect. No alert level color was assigned to this event, and there are no reports of damage or injuries in the sparsely populated area.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are considered minor. While they are often felt by people in the immediate vicinity, they rarely cause damage to buildings or infrastructure. Residents should remain aware that minor aftershocks are a routine possibility following seismic activity, though they generally decrease in frequency and intensity over time.

Source

Information and data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.